Quote

Language is the dress of thought and as the noblest mien or most graceful action would be degraded and obscured by a garb appropriated to the gross employments of rusticks or mechanics, so the most heroick sentiments will lose their efficacy

Samuel Johnson

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Samuel Johnson
Age: 75 †
Born: 1709
Born: September 18
Died: 1784
Died: December 13
Biographer
Bookseller
Essayist
Lexicographer
Linguist
Literary Critic
Literary Historian
Poet
Politician
Teacher
Translator
Writer
Lichfield
Staffordshire
Dr Johnson
Dr. Johnson
Great Moralist
Thought
Employment
Obscured
Would
Sentiments
Degraded
Dress
Graceful
Dresses
Efficacy
Lose
Mechanics
Mien
Loses
Noblest
Employments
Language
Mechanic
Garb
Action
Gross
Appropriated

More quotes by Samuel Johnson

Image
Knock the 't' off the 'can't.'
Samuel Johnson
Image
If a madman were to come into this room with a stick in his hand, no doubt we should pity the state of his mind but our primary consideration would be to take care of ourselves. We should knock him down first, and pity him afterwards.
Samuel Johnson
Image
..to write and to live are very different. Many who praise virtue, do no more than praise it.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Life has no pleasure higher or nobler than that of friendship.
Samuel Johnson
Image
This merriment of parsons is mighty offensive.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Political liberty is only good insofar as it produces private liberty.
Samuel Johnson
Image
The time will come to every human being when it must be known how well he can bear to die.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Falsehood always endeavors to copy the mien and attitude of truth.
Samuel Johnson
Image
I wish there were some cure, like the lover's leap, for all heads of which some single idea has obtained an unreasonable and irregular possession.
Samuel Johnson
Image
In life's last scene what prodigies surprise, Fears of the brave, and follies of the wise! From Marlborough's eyes the streams of dotage flow, And Swift expires a driveller and a show.
Samuel Johnson
Image
Whoever wishes to attain an English style, familiar but not coarse, and elegant but not ostentatious, must give his days and nights to the volumes of Addison.
Samuel Johnson
Image
It is however, reasonable, to have perfection in our eye that we may always advance towards it, though we know it never can be reached.
Samuel Johnson
Image
It may be laid down as a position which seldom deceives, that when a man cannot bear his own company, there is something wrong.
Samuel Johnson
Image
The maxim of Cleobulus, Mediocrity is best, has been long considered a universal principle, extending through the whole compass of life and nature. The experience of every age seems to have given it new confirmation, and to show that nothing, however specious or alluring, is pursued with propriety or enjoyed with safety beyond certain limits.
Samuel Johnson
Image
We have always pretensions to fame which, in our own hearts, we know to be disputable.
Samuel Johnson
Image
He who sees different ways to the same end, will, unless he watches carefully over his own conduct, lay out too much of his attention upon the comparison of probabilities and the adjustment of expedients, and pause in the choice of his road, till some accident intercepts his journey.
Samuel Johnson
Image
To be free it is not enough to beat the system, one must beat the system every day
Samuel Johnson
Image
No money is better spent than what is laid out for domestic satisfaction.
Samuel Johnson
Image
The specualtist, who is not content with superficial views, harasses himself with fruitless curiosity and still, as he inquires more, perceives only that he knows less.
Samuel Johnson
Image
An epithet or metaphor drawn from nature ennobles art an epithet or metaphor drawn from art degrades nature.
Samuel Johnson